Where should I travel in March on my own?

February 7, 2023 7:16 AM

I'm a single, mid-40s father who lives outside Boston and will have a week without my kids, March 18-24. It's been a nutty few years and I'd love to go somewhere and refresh myself. And that's why I'd love a place where I can get away and just not even have to think about any of the planning etc. I have not traveled much, not at all since 2019 and never anything too complicated by myself. In the past, I’ve enjoyed going to a city and finding various things to do. But this time around, I’d really like to not have to plan anything out at all, like finding the activities, figuring out a good place to eat, etc.

Other things on my list:
- Indifferent on travel mode though would slightly prefer car or Amtrak
- English-speaking location preferred
- International is OK (passport is current)
- All-inclusive for meals and maybe activities
- I don't care about alcohol being included (as it seems some people focus on that)
- Open to city vs country
- Group travel is OK
- Looking to go away for ~3-4 days during that week, not the full week
- Budget: $2000 (though not a hard limit)
- Generally flexible with all of the above

For some points of comparison:

One place I've really liked to visit with my kids is East Hill Farm in NH because it checks so many of these boxes, but it's a place that's oriented for family fun and I don't think I'd like going there on my own.

I also love the sorts of places found on Atlas Obscura and other quirky things, but also would love a few days to just be somewhere nice and relax and not think about anything.

I know about Kripalu and have been there in the past. I'd give that a firm "maybe" but I'm just not very excited by the idea.

I've also thought about visiting friends near Philadelphia or Dallas, but they are busy during the day with work and I can't get them to take time off. And it would mean figuring out things to do, and I'd love to just not have to think much.

Thank you for your suggestions!

posted by scottso17 to Travel & Transportation (10 answers total)

Point Sebago?
posted by RonButNotStupid at 7:59 AM on February 7, 2023

Go to NYC; just walking, walking, walking around the city can be fun and therapeutic. Microhotels are pretty cheap, but with your budget you could afford something better. There are diners everywhere for breakfast. Walk. Take the subway. Observe all of humanity. Sit in Washington Square Park. Go to the Met or the new Broadway museum or a million other museums. Take in a Broadway show. (Buying a single ticket often means better seats are available.) Enjoy yourself.
posted by Melismata at 8:43 AM on February 7, 2023 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Mohonk Mountain House would be an easy drive or Amtrak trip from Boston (the latter via Albany), and certainly can't be beat for have a plethora of things to do at your fingertips and without having to think much.
posted by minervous at 8:50 AM on February 7, 2023 [1 favorite]

I was also going to suggest NYC. I’d pick maybe one activity per day like going to a museum and spend the rest of the time wandering. Get a book at the Strand and read it in a cafe. Walk from one part of Central Park to another. Get day-of tickets to a show on Broadway. If you start doing any of the above and don’t like it, do something else. Enjoy!
posted by kat518 at 8:57 AM on February 7, 2023 [1 favorite]

It has been a few years since I have been, but my go-to brief vacation place that didn't require much planning was Montreal. It's a short easy flight from Boston and in my experience there are always good cultural offerings, whatever the season. I've gone in March and enjoyed going to a couple of museums, a concert, markets, sitting in cafes and walking around Old Montreal when the temperature was mild. I have only used public transportation, so can't speak to getting around by car. The subway was very good.
posted by fies at 9:12 AM on February 7, 2023 [7 favorites]

Best answer: I'm in a similar life/season/geographic place, and I'd opt for Washington D.C. over NYC. New York will still likely be pretty chilly in March, whereas DC will probably be a good 20° warmer without a whole lot of extra travel time. Take the train down, stay in a bustling neighborhood with enough restaurants that you don't have to think, and then do an AirBnB experience or museum each day. I was ready to hate AirBnB experiences but I've now done a few in different places and feel like they're nice low-key ways to connect with locals and get a deeper understanding of where I am. Plus, as a solo traveller, they satisfy the "group travel" feeling without being full-on group travel.

You could also take the Amtrak sleeper overnight down to New Orleans. I think it's about $500 and includes food (and of course "lodging"). Leave South Station in the evening, switch in NYC, and wake up in Nola. Great way to get there solo, and then the weather's awesome and there's so much good food and walking around to do. I've done a different bike tour every time I've been there and it's been a great way to spend the day with strangers, get to know the city, and see new things.
posted by cocoagirl at 9:18 AM on February 7, 2023 [5 favorites]

We did a tour in Scotland that took care of overnight accommodation. Ours went around Edinburgh, the highlands, and Isle if Skye. The vehicle was a large van rather than a bus so taking the remote single lane roads was permitted. The buses can’t go in much of the highlands. The van also made it easy to get to know everyone and hang out at our stops if we wanted, but many didn’t socialize much, which was certainly OK.m! It lasted 5 days and the landscapes and stops were amazing. The van has huge windows and the driver was delightful and told us a lot of stories and history. We would eat at local pubs, you can go with others or plan to go alone. The tour company arranges your accomodation. L. We used Rabbies, I loved this trip so much! I would do this again in a heartbeat, certainly better than the one cruise I’ve been on.
posted by waving at 9:39 AM on February 7, 2023 [3 favorites]

Best answer: If you are feeling outdoorsy, Intrepid Travel has a 5-day Western USA Parks Loop starting March 18, looks like all you'd need to add is a flight to Vegas. March is a great time to visit the desert in bloom.
posted by veery at 1:19 PM on February 7, 2023 [1 favorite]

Montreal. Nearly everyone you meet will speak English and there is so much to do.
posted by terrapin at 5:36 AM on February 8, 2023

Response by poster: Update: Slight change of plans. A friend convinced me to go to Vermont with him. He has some points to redeem at the Taconic Hotel in Manchester, VT. We're going to stay slightly plugged in and make it a partial remote work, partial recreational trip. For the next trip, I have all of these ideas in mind. Mohonk looks nice in particular though the rates are expensive!
posted by scottso17 at 11:41 AM on March 10, 2023 [2 favorites]